henro

At your age you don't need to worry about. Any energy you expend through orgasm will be replaced very quickly. Check out Dan Reid's "The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity". From what I've seen here and on other forums so many people want to jump into the sexual stuff before they've sorted out the basics. Get into a regular practice with a good, qualified teacher - get your emotional, spiritual, and physical life regulated then move on to the more advanced stuff. And seriously, how many posts do we need to see with people injuring themselves after learning these practices from a book. This is one of the reasons they were secret for so long. A very wise teacher in China told me not everyone is meant to be a monk, or celibate. You have to find the practice that makes sense for you, your constitution, and your lifestyle.

Perhaps, my first question wasn't clear. . . did this guy come up with the movements on his own or were they conceived by his teachers. The answer for which sets up the next question - what have the results been ? That's pretty straight forward I think. Actually I have studied the movements from the basis of physiology. Currently getting a degree in Chinese medicine, and have been studying martial arts for 25 years. As I'm sure you know many systems of qigong have specific intent - strengthening the immune system, strengthening the organs using patterns of the 5 elements, etc. As a comparison, I'd rather take golf lessons from a proven coach who has either been a pro himself or has coached others to a professional level. That's all, your mileage may vary. . .

That has not been my experience, but sure, body movements and breath will produce some noticeable energy movement. It'd be nice to know where these movements came from. Did someone just make it up , is it based on any particular modality - 5 elements, meridian theory, etc. ? Has the teacher been practicing for decades or a week ? Who were his teachers ? Is there a history of students achieving better health, and lifestyle through this system ? Is there a timeframe and sequence for the students to become teachers, or is it basically if you can pay you can teach ? Basic questions from anyone who has any experience with internal arts. . . . The thread that Creation linked to says it all.

Not only that, but "to perfect your martial art it is essential to know Okinawan Karate. . ." Also strange since most histories claim that karate was a development from Chinese martial arts. . .

I thought the whole "Temple Tai chi" thing along with Waysun Liao was all made up or at least questionable?? A quick google brings a up a few not so favorable posts on various forums. That's not to say that Clyman may or may not have skills, just a question as to how and where he got them...

Well, to a point. I don't think the members here are talking about combat, they're talking about being able to defend themselves. Sure, good martial arts training should teach you how to avoid confrontations if at all possible, but if you're going to train in an art you want to know, and feel that you can handle a self defense situation. I have, unfortunately, been in two altercations in my adult life. One after someone threatened my client's life. It ended on the ground because I took it there, no striking, forearm on the throat until the authorities could take the guy away. The second was in China recently when a drunkard attacked my wife and I simply because I was the only white guy on the street. Again, no striking, only containment until he could be taken away. I credit my training for me being able to control the situation while maintaining complete calm. I've been training in tai chi, and hung gar for about 10 years, and recently started ba gua, and xing yi. I had a little exposure to wing chun as I trained at a JKD studio briefly before I started Hung gar. Hung gar can be devastating, so to me it's nice to have softer responses a la tai chi, and ba gau, and know the hung gar is there if the altercation gets more serious. Actually in China I used some xing yi moves that I had learned only a couple weeks before without even thinking about it. That was pretty cool to me. Walking those damn lines for hours actually works !!!! So I do think these conversations are valid, especially if people can speak from experience.

Some iron shirt sets can be done with weights. I practice hung gar as well, and several of the sets are meant to build strength and qi simultaneously. Uhh, but I'm not sure what David Carridine has to do with Hung Gar. . . Also, xing yi is pretty vigorous, and though I've only been practicing for about 3 or 4 months, I'm definitely getting stronger.

Hasn't the whole "temple style" thing been debunked and trashed??? I seem to remember threads on other forums discussing the origins. . .

And why can't you keep all tis creationist stuff in one thread ?????

Non, what part of the country are you in ? Maybe some TB's can suggest local teachers or places to hang. Maybe one of the teachers here will take you under their wings....

Uh no, Buddhism does not say one should be emotionless, the teaching says to not be attached to emotion. There's a difference, a common misconception. The emotionless person tries to shut out feeling. A buddhist feels the emotion, processes, lets it do the work, and then lets it go.

We are all higher beings living a human existence. We have chosen this existence as humans in order to work on ourselves. We control our destiny. Our choices determine our future. There are many paths we can follow, and the choices we make may change the path we are on.

Really?? There are no women at your TCM school who want to cultivate and be a healer ? Time to switch schools. . .

So by your logic there's no point to any of this - cultivation, enlightenment, etc. Women are women, men are men, and that's it ?

I still insist you're looking in the wrong places at the wrong kinds of people, even though many on this board have offered great suggestions. Work on yourself, and hang out in places where like minded people are. You're in TCM school, I find it hard to believe there aren't like minded females there. I'm also in TCM school and there are all kinds of women, from hyper-charged Hollywood types to quiet librarians, international students, serious cultivators - all kinds, all ages. I would also suggest more cultivation classes outside of your solo practice and school. Again, get your butt in a room with women who think like you do. Also, do you have any female friends ? Chick buddies can give you great insight. While the prostitute suggestion is not completely crazy, I wouldn't suggest it to Non. Though it might build his confidence, and she could certainly teach him a few things, I think he's a bit too delicate for that world.

I've been many times, probably my favorite place in the world. . . you should go soon, they're building another chairlift all the way to the top. Soon it'll be even more of a tourist trap

3-4 miles per hour is pretty brisk, I agree, 7 miles should be about an hour and half to two hours. Maybe walk it on a Saturday as a test run, and see how it goes. . . .

here we go again. . . . I have seen two such "masters" in China who lived without food and water for quite some time. One of my teachers has told me of two more, but I have not met them personally. You have been to China, and the teachers refused you. That has nothing to do with the quality of instruction or enlightenment there. That has to do with who and where you are. Good luck on your journey.

Since you're working with Healing Tao practices have you spoken with Chia or Michael Winn ? If you believe that you may have been harmed by these practices it makes sense to contact your teacher(s).

Never thought of using wood, in my hung gar school we use metal rods taped together. Start light and work your way to harder hits. If you want to start with bamboo you might try the mutlirod drumsticks: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vater-Bamboo-Splashstick-106204217-i1509898.gc

It's always a trip when I practice outside in China. My teacher has class in the park of course, which is a major thoroughfare for people going to work in the morning, and is packed with people doing tai ji and qigong. I'm the only white guy out there so it's a spectacle. Lot's of people stop to watch the foreigner, I can't think about it. When he singles me out to do a form by the end there's usually a large group that has stopped. Kind of like practicing in a fishbowl. I think it's helped my concentration for sure. I'm not sure how it affects the Chinese. There's probably a bit of "what a crazy foreigner" going through their heads. . . .

Did you ever think you're just looking too hard and in the wrong places ?? Years ago I got divorced and felt pretty bad about myself, giving up on relationships and such. I started going to yoga classes, with the only intention of healing myself. Within no time at all I had many girls asking about me, wanting to be friends and more. Honestly, I got more attention than I ever wanted. Why ? Because I was working on myself, and they saw it. I wasn't there to play games or meet chicks. It was my church for lack of a better analogy. And the best part, the women I did meet were also working on themselves. We were all on the same path. I'm not condoning using cultivation classes as a way to meet women, but if you put yourself in the position to meet like-minded people you will. Aren't you in school for TCM ? There should be some like-minded individuals there. .. And a little story. . . a few years ago I was with friends in China and we met a niegong master who did private consultations and healings. My friend went to see him. This friend was a very hardcore practitioner, attends the local Taoist temple religiously, had given up on having relationships, and was "sticking to solo cultivation". Actually his attitudes towards women reminds me of Non. Anyway, the first thing the master says to him is "what the hell are you doing ?, you don't need to act like a monk, get out there, meet a woman, and have sex. Live a normal life and practice our cultivation. You're missing out on life living the way you are".

A must read. . . http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/05/03/tips-to-avoiding-depression.aspx

I felt the same way when I was 30, started doing tai ji and qigong, then added yoga to the mix. Now at 41 I look and feel much better than I did at 30. Six years ago I also switched to being vegetarian, slowed way down on the alcohol, cut out soda, and reduced my caffeine intake (I only drink water, real fruit juice, and green tea). I feel like 30 was a major shift as a man, you can either ride it or change it. The guys that I know who didn't make any change in their lifestyle when they hit 30 all look much older than me.